October 25, 2002

BC Liberal Convention 2002

It is far better for Premier Campbell if the news media focus on unruly demonstrators rather than on unruly delegates. Perhaps that is why the BC Liberals are treating their resolution book as a state secret.

Most political parties want as much media attention as possible for their conventions. Convention resolutions are sometimes made available on party websites, and they are almost always given to news media covering the convention, but the BC Liberals are treating their resolution book the same way they treat government documents. The same folks who are changing freedom of information legislation to keep more secrets are hiding the debate within their party.

Although the media have been denied advance copies of the BC Liberal resolution book, it is hard to believe that it can remain a secret for long. Its pages might contain resolutions on school closures, court house closures, forest recreation sites slated for closure, BC Rail passenger service closing and hospital closures. No wonder it is a closed book. Some convention delegates might be doing the job that the back bench MLAs are not doing - standing up for their communities. Don't count on them to succeed. Premier Campbell is stubborn and he has a plan for two more years of cuts and closures. The Campbell government is talking about the demonstrations expected at the convention perhaps counting on that to deflect infighting within the BC Liberal party.

Demonstrations have a place but reasoned commentary is more likely to persuade people. Images of protestors screaming at delegates and of the Premier being snuck in and out of back entrances are not the most effective way of persuading people that there is a positive alternative to the cuts and closures imposed by the Campbell government. Gordon Campbell will point to the blue HEU jackets and say that they are the same old gang even though seniors, people in need, those who care about child welfare, educators, community leaders and hundreds of others are raising their voices in protest.

The next provincial election will be only 2 years 7 months after the 2002 BC Liberal Convention. Those who have the energy to protest could apply that energy to recruiting capable energetic candidates who would be attractive to the voters and who would remake the NDP. Instead of saying shame on Gordon Campbell, let's hear some community leaders say "I am campaigning for an NDP nomination so I can be a candidate and build a positive alternative to a government that has closed the door on British Columbia families."